Memphis appears to be behind many parts of the country when it comes to interest in green buildings or sustainable design.

But the good news is that more companies and developers are beginning to recognize the benefits of green architecture. This, coupled with some new initiatives in the area, may help to further the cause of sustainable design in Memphis.

"Energy and building costs in this part of the country are lower than in many other areas," says Jeff Gatlin, vice president of Thompson Engineering, Inc. "People start showing more interest in green buildings when they begin to understand both the environmental, social and economic advantages."

Gatlin is one of 13 a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professionals in Memphis. The program, sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council, provides accreditation to professionals who pass a comprehensive examination regarding green building approaches, systems and materials. LEED also encompasses certification for buildings constructed to a set of stringent environmental standards.

The newly recognized Memphis chapter of USGBC, of which Gatlin is a board member, will encourage more design pros here to pursue the LEED designation, Gatlin says.

Deidre Brady, an interior designer with Architecture, Inc., also serves on the local board, and is a LEED AP.

"Having a chapter in Memphis will help to educate companies, public officials, developers, and a host of other parties," she says. "Nashville and Little Rock both have more LEED-certified projects in their cities, and they both also have strong USGBC chapters."

Rick Boeving, an engineer with Allen & Hoshall and a LEED AP, says that green design is an easy sell when it comes to energy systems and materials.

"Energy is near the top of most clients' lists when it comes to building features," he says. "We are seeing increased interest in system controllability, daylighting, ventilation and other energy-saving features. We expect this to continue especially given higher energy prices."

Memphis doesn't have any LEED certified buildings, though there are facilities that feature green building design approaches. A number of companies and developers have researched the systems, materials and building methods that go into their projects and have incorporated a number of environmentally friendly components, but none have been submitted for LEED cerification. That may change in the not-too-distant future.

"Part if it obviously requires a company or developer to invest according to LEED standards," Boeving says. "The USBGC recently streamlined the certification process and also reduced the fee for certification. This makes it easier and more cost-effective to get buildings certified, which will help."

One project on the boards that is being designed using the LEED rating system for homes, which is in the pilot stage now, is being done by master of architecture students at the University of Memphis.

"We are designing a small single-family detached residence in the Uptown area," says Jim Lutz, assistant professor for the University's architecture program and director of the Center for Sustainable Design at the FedEx Institute of Technology. "We hope to have one of the first LEED-certified homes in the region, and have a target completion of March 2007."

Lutz says that sustainable design is one of the most important issues facing the architecture profession based on its potential impact on private and public building projects.

"We are working with the local USGBC chapter and others in Memphis to showcase the benefits of sustainable design," Lutz says. "Interest in green architecture in Memphis is gaining momentum, but we have a long way to go."